Ive been browsing the net to learn more about 3 and 4 level fusions when I just happened to come across this interesting tid bit of information. I still wish I had my ADR's but this new info kind of makes fusion not look so bad after all. I know its probably not new info, but its the first time I ever read about this and Ive been on back boards for years.
Link:
Dynamic reconstruction of the spine - Google Books
Pg 44 It says:
"In the long term , successful ACDF eliminates motion and thus halts progression of Spondylotic spurs. IN fact, fusion often leads to spur reabsoprtion. With motion preserved in C-TDR, spondylotic spurs may recur leading to late symptom recurrence at the same level. Further follow up may reveal that we have traded a relatively low incidence of adjacent level degeneration for a higher incidence of same level disease. "
ALso,
"With ACDF, the room for error in performing a decompression is high. With C- TDR, performing a decompression may be more critical in achieving succesful short term outcomes. Reports of C-TDR revisions for inadequate decompression have already begun to surface. "
Any comments??